I think it is fantastic that someone finally stood up to Torrance Unified School District and complained about the treatment the girls get at our high schools as far as sports are concerned (“Title IX complaint brings improvements,” Monday). We at Torrance High are even further behind than those at West High. At least the girls at West have a field on their campus. We have had to take our softball bags to school in the morning, store them on campus in a temporary room, then shlep them over to Wilson Park for practice and the games. And now, Wilson Park has not renewed our permits so we have nowhere to practice or play.

Does that seem fair, Dr. Mannon, Dr. Stabler, Principal O’Brien and Mayor Scotto? It’s a disgrace that the girls softball team from Torrance High is in this position. Well guess what, since TUSD has finally been forced to help out West High, you had better not put away your checkbook yet. We will expect the same treatment and a field on our campus by the start of 2010 school year. You said it, Dr. Stabler: “Bring girls softball facilities up to parity with boys baseball facilities.” In the meantime, just get us a place to play.

– S. Noble, Torrance

Lomita water plans questioned

What is the source of the cheap ground water Lomita is planning to pump up?

Is it the West Basin aquifer? Isn’t that the aquifer that has been so badly damaged by overpumping that it is now below sea level and becoming brackish as ocean salt water invades?

Is that the same aquifer that many beach cities are investing piles of money to purchase fresh water to be pumped into the ground along the coastline in an attempt to create a barrier to halt further salt water intrusion?

How much is Lomita investing in the effort to fight off the Pacific Ocean and save our aquifer? Have they added that cost to the cheap groundwater price?

– James Clark, Torrance

Don’t forget our POW/MIAs

Friday Sept. 18 is the POW/MIA Recognition Day (Prisoner Of War/Missing In Action). Please take a few minutes to honor these veterans and their families for their sacrifices they have given to our country. Some are still unaccounted for and their whereabouts are only known to God. For those of you that fly the POW/MIA flag, thank you. Remember, “Without that black and white flag, we would not have the freedom that we all cherish today.”

– Ron Updike, Palos Verdes

More study on RPV party site

Thanks to a public outcry from a large number of residents of Portuguese Bend, the Rancho Palos Verdes Planning Commission decided to rehear the application of James York for a conditional use permit to hold large outdoor parties on his vacant land bordering the community. The residents were caught off guard when the commission voted 3-2 to overrule the decision of the Planning Director, Joel Rojas, to deny the application

The city’s rules for accepting such an application are clear and straightforward. If the use contemplated is not more intrusive than a church, an athletic field or a golf course, the application deserves a hearing. Rojas was clearly right to deny the original request.

After all, the quiet, gated, equestrian community of Portuguese Bend rests upon 250 gently sloping acres bounded on three sides by empty countryside including the 1,400-acre Portuguese Bend Land Conservancy. Palos Verdes Drive South and the open ocean form the southern boundary. There are no sidewalks and no street lights. For over a half century, the 280 residents have enjoyed a tranquility unmatched by any suburb of Los Angeles. York plans to regularly mass more partygoers than community residents on a couple of acres on the southwest border of the neighborhood. The amplified music, crowd noise and the commotion consistent with the setting up and breaking down of the party site will forever degrade the character of the neighborhood. The noise from the trial event Aug. 9 was enough to exceed the nuisance level at 11 a.m.

Nevertheless, York has, by his own admission, invested hundreds of thousands to prepare the property for commercial use. What essentially amounts to an outdoor nightclub would constitute a nuisance in any neighborhood on The Hill, let alone such a quiet spot as Portuguese Bend. To date, there is no precedent for the awarding of such a conditional use permit. Should it be granted, RPV will be deluged by applications to turn residences into commercial entertainment property.

– Tom Hoffman, Rancho Palos Verdes

Tort reform can’t be ignored

President Obama and the Democrats in Congress talk about cutting waste in health care, but they continue to ignore tort reform. I am a lawyer, but ashamed of the conduct of tort attorneys motivating well meaning clients to make excessive claims against doctors. Just reform the tort system and costs of medical treatment would not only be substantially reduced, but doctors would be encouraged to continue practicing rather then giving up their private practices, because liability insurance coverage is driving them out of business.

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